Ottery St Mary bowlers pave way for C Division victory over Chagford.

Ollie Reed bowling for Ottery 2nds against Ipplepen. Photo by Terry Ife. Ref shsp 0054-21-14TI To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24

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Despite posting an under par total in favourable batting conditions, Ottery St Mary 1st XI last weekend claimed a second successive victory as their bowlers produced a fine collective effort against visiting Chagford, writes Ian Townsend.

After electing to bat first, the Otters made a poor start as first ex-Exeter left armer, Del Lammonby bowled Billy Reed for a duck, then fellow opener Dan Flower (8) was pouched by Will Lammonby off Jon Wright. Ottery were rescued from 21-2 by a fine century partnership between Sam Tennant and Lewis Townsend. The Otters skipper continued his excellent recent form by posting a fluent run-a-ball half century whilst Tennant (43 with seven fours) leant typically solid support until he was bowled by Chris Rowlands, the stand having added 111 in just 20 overs. Townsend continued to unleash shots all around the wicket, reaching 80 (11 fours and two sixes) before miscuing Rowlands (2-35)

to point. At 183-4 with a full 10 overs remaining, a big total was on the cards. However, despite a useful lower order contribution from Jody Clements (21 not out, three fours), the innings lost momentum as Del Lammonby (3-21 from 9 overs) and Craig Penberthy (2-23) chipped in with two late wickets apiece. 229 appeared to be decidedly vulnerable.

Stuart Lord and Chris Filor opened up with a 30 run stand as the visitors replied, but three quick wickets soon set Chagford back on their heels. Lord (14) was castled by Clements, Filor (8) was run out at the non-striker’s end by the quick thinking Matt Reed as he dozily wandered out of his ground following an lbw appeal and most significantly, prolific South African import, Divan Marais (0) was sent back by Will Harrison as a leading edge flew to Clements at mid-on. Paul Penberthy (20) and Wright added a rapid 50 before the former departed to a brilliant over the shoulder catch by Tennant in the covers off Rob Crabb. After Wright’s typically hard hitting 46 (six fours and two sixes) was ended by Reed’s catch, also off Crabb, a quick succession of wickets saw the visitors crash to 149-9. Crabb’s persistence was rewarded with two further victims whilst pacemen Harrison and Joe Birch both produced fine late spells. Harrison (3-21) removed Will Lammonby (16), caught by Crabb, and Rowlands (6), caught behind by Jack Pritchard whilst Birch’s seven overs cost just 16 runs. A spirited last wicket stand between Jacob Griffiths (18) and Duncan Manners-Chapman (26*) added 45 in nine overs before off spinner Reed bowled the former to seal a welcome victory for the Otters.

A collectively effective bowling display was clearly a source of some satisfaction to the Otters’ captain who afterwards reflected: “At tea I was a little worried we hadn’t made the most of the position we were in, but the guys bowled very well. Crabby’s four wickets were reward for a tough nine over spell in that heat and, even though they were up with the runs for long periods, we kept taking wickets and always felt we were ahead of the game”.

As the Lacemen’s Colts licked their wounds from their recent defeat by a strong Barum outfit, they travelled to Okehampton for a must-win game and produced the goods in a 25-15 result, writes Paz Parratt